Fisker Karma

Fisker claims to have 3000 deposits in the bank. Some of those who’ve plunked down the cash are doubtless atoning for past turbo-V-8 sins, but others may be less altruistic, simply drawn to the sexiest fenders ever draped over an American sedan. Whatever their motivation, they’ll get a beautiful, luxurious machine that goes easy on the guilt.

Considering its low-slung and curvaceous flanks, the Karma provides surprisingly easy entry and cozy accommodations for four grown-ups. A 10.2-inch screen replaces the usual forest of tiny infotainment buttons with audible, visual, and tactile responses to touch commands. Trim is a cut or two above the $100,000 norm, thanks to fine detailing and lovely custom touches. The top EcoChic edition is an animal-free showcase of high-end textiles, faux suede, and rescued California wildfire hardwood.

The Karma’s initial surge is sufficiently potent to avoid damnation as a slug. But the physics conspire against it keeping pace with other $100K sports sedans. In spite of the joys of low-rpm electric torque, the realities of a curb weight well above 4000 pounds and only one gear ratio mean that mileage is where this car excels. Until the EPA weighs in on that subject, we can only guess that the Karma will land slightly below the Volt’s ratings of 93 equivalent mpg (MPGe) in electric driving and 35 mpg city and 40 highway with the engine running.

The Karma lays a good foundation. Up front there’s a 260-hp, GM-supplied four-cylinder engine spinning a mighty generator. Next in line is a 20-kWh, American-made lithium-ion battery pack. Twin AC motors straddling the rear axle deliver 402 horsepower to the differential. The propulsion system, the Brembo brakes, the 22-inch cast aluminum wheels, and the aluminum suspension components are supported by an aluminum space frame stitched together with 260 feet of welds and a thousand or so rivets.

The Karma’s recipe calls for sexy design stirred with a heap of sustainability. We had faith in the styling part of the concoction: While growing up in Denmark, Henrik Fisker inherited from his father a deep appreciation for American cars of the Sixties. Upon completing formal design studies, he put his rearing to excellent use. Warming up for the Karma, Fisker designed the BMW Z8 and the Aston Martin DB9 and V-8 Vantage—all of which stand tall next to any Corvette or Eldorado.

Three years and a billion investment dollars after the Fisker Karma rolled forth as a stunning plug-in-hybrid concept, it’s finally ready to rock as a stunning production car. All in less time (and for far less money) than GM needed to produce theChevy Volt.

Tesla lawsuit
On 14 April 2008 Tesla Motors filed a lawsuit against Fisker Automotive, alleging that Henrik Fisker stole Tesla’s Model S hybrid technology and is using it to develop the Karma. Tesla’s suit claimed that the design work done for the Model S sedan by Fisker Coach build was substandard, and that Fisker Automotive diverted its best ideas to the Karma On 4 November 2008 CNET News reported that Tesla Motors would discontinue its suit after an interim ruling in favor of Fisker et al. A news release on the Fisker Automotive website stated that Tesla was ordered to pay $1,144,285 in costs.

Awards
2009 marked the first time that an electric vehicle was named a North American Production Preview Vehicle of the Year by the North American Concept Vehicle of the Year Awards. The award went to Fisker Automotive for the Fisker Karma Sunset.

The Fisker Karma is a plug-in hybrid luxury sports sedan revealed on 14 January 2008 at the North American International Auto Show. It is the first car from Fisker Automotive, a new auto maker based in Anaheim, California, founded on 5 September 2007. After missing its initial late 2009 launch, Fisker Automotive has re-scheduled several times and now plans to begin Karma deliveries in July 2011 Final assembly will take place at Valmet Automotive in Finland. The Fisker Karma will sell for US$95,900 for the basic model, and US$109,850 for the top model.
2012 Fisker Karma,
Business partners Henrik Fisker and Bernhard Koehler are visibly on edge. While they want to dedicate every ounce of their focus on this all-important launch of their first baby, the 2012 Fisker Karma, their attentions are being constantly pulled away from it by big conference calls regarding the money and logistics of launching the whole Fisker Automotive franchise.
Are they really and truly answering a $95,900-$108,900 question with this bold effort that enough people are asking? It’s clear they just want us to fall in love with their lux’d up plug-in extended-range electric sedan.
We’ve been helicoptered into the infield handling circuit at California Speedway in Fontana to have a brisk go at one of Fisker Automotive’s first completed verification prototypes of the Karma, built by Valmet Automotive in Uusikaupunki, Finland. We are already assuming that the build quality and finish of all the pretty parts will be fine, as Valmet has learned a lot about these things while building cars for Porsche to strict Stuttgart standards. We also already know that the car is indeed pretty inside and out, albeit particular to some out there, seeing as Fisker has designed such lovely lady lumps as the Aston Martin DB9 and V8 Vantage, not to mention the BMW Z8 roadster.
As for sustainability, in the Karma it means consuming no petroleum for the first 50 miles and interior trim that bows to Mother Nature. Indeed, the very idea of sustainability permeates Fisker’s business plan, which is backed by venture capitalists and government agencies. On the heels of the low-volume, $100,000 Karma, there will be a more affordable car, the Nina, also built around earth-friendly technology. The hope is that these two plug-in hybrids will give Fisker global reach as a viable carmaking enterprise.
The Karma’s aluminum skin is finished with a solar-cell roof, a composite decklid, and plastic bumpers.
Like the Nissan Leaf, the Karma is always electrically driven; the gasoline engine powers only the generator. Slip into the elegantly tailored driver’s seat, engage “stealth” mode, and you can motor sedately to the future with little more than a hum from the powertrain. Tugging the “sport” paddle to the left of the steering wheel brings additional energy to bear.
When the gasoline engine kicks in to supplement the battery pack’s wattage—to trim the 0-to-60-mph run from a claimed 7.9 seconds to 5.9, or to add 250 miles to the driving range—the extra thrust is accompanied by the whistle of a turbo spooling up, the snarl of angry exhaust gas, and a resonant boom or two. Bent on fulfilling its mission, the generator set keeps growling even when you ease off the accelerator.

Handling is a subject we can address with more confidence. The Karma’s steering is endowed with real road feel and linear turn-in response. The ride is supple, and there’s minimal body roll when you fling the wheel; the low-mounted, 600-pound battery pack makes for an effective keel. Even though the rear wheels carry 53 percent of the Karma’s mass, there’s understeer awaiting those who visit the borderlands of grip. The brakes are calibrated to convert excess momentum into the maximum amount of charging energy without inflicting pedal weirdness.
Features
The Karma is technically a series hybrid, driven by a a pair of electric motors totaling 403hp that get their power from a 20kWh Lithium Ion battery supplied by A123 Systems, or a 175kW generator spun by an efficient, 2.0L gas engine. The engine is mated with a generator to provide an electrical connection to the motors and also recharge the batteries and as such the electric motors are the only mechanical driving force connected to the wheels.

The Karma includes as standard a solar paneled roof not only to aid in the recharging of its Lithium-Ion batteries but also to aid the cabin climate control system. The solar roof is capable of generating a half kilowatt-hour a day and is estimated to provide up to 4 to 5 miles (6.4–8.0 km) of additional range a week assuming continuously sunny days. Additionally, the car will offer a set of solar panels for the garage/house which may charge the Karma entirely ‘off the grid’.

Although Fisker Automotive has yet to release solid statistics regarding Karma’s fuel economy, the company estimates the average driver could refill the fuel tank just once annually provided they do not drive more than 50 miles (80 km) a day. Fisker Automotive has also suggested that the Karma will be capable of 100 miles per US gallon (43 km/L) and a range of 300 miles (480 km). Despite its eco-friendly background the Karma features a 125 mph (201 km/h) top speed and is capable of reaching 60 mph (97 km/h) from a standstill in 5.8 seconds.

The Karma’s two 201 brake horsepower (204 PS) motors produce 1,300 newton metres (960 ft•lbf) of torque, more than the Bugatti Veyron at 1,250 N•m (920 ft•lbf).

Convertible model
In January 2009 Fisker previewed the Karma S ‘Sunset’ at the North American International Auto Show, the world’s first plug-in hybrid convertible, with a folding hardtop.
Production and delivery
The Finnish newspaper Helsingin Sanomat reportedthat Fisker Automotive and Valmet Automotive had reached an early agreement to manufacture the cars in Uusikaupunki, Finland. The Valmet factory located there currently produces Porsche Boxster and Cayman models (until 2012), and has previously produced various Saab models as well as some other cars. On 13 November 2008, the final assembly contract was signed by both parties.

In 2008 Fisker Automotive began accepting pre-orders in the U.S, and Europe and initially scheduled sales of its Karma PHEV by the fourth quarter of 2009 in the US, and import into Europe starting in 2010. In 2009 Henrik Fisker reported 1,300 orders for the Karma. After re-scheduling the Karma launch to September 2010, and missing its target to build 70 to 100 test cars in 2010, it plans to deliver cars in the United States in July 2011 and produce and sell 7,000 Karmas in 2011.
Henrik Fisker showed the first production model Karma at the 2010 Paris Motor Show. As of January 2011, Fisker has received 3000 deposits.

The base model features an “eco-friendly interior”, including salvaged lumber from fires or even from lake bottoms. Optional leather seating is available, but it will use much more of the cow hide than would customarily be found on luxury models—hides with scratches and other mars (which should not affect functionality) will be used.